|
a perfect
location for country lovers
1 hour south Toulouse & Carcassonne
"Home
from home" holiday-vacation
rental accommodation
in the Ariege Pyrenees (Department 09) near Pamiers, Foix & Mirepoix, SW
France
Un endroit parfait pour ceux qui aiment la campagne
1
heure au sud de Toulouse et Carcassonne
Un gîte location de vacances
Dans les Pyrénées
Ariégeoises (département 09)
Près
de Pamiers, Foix et Mirepoix,
Le sud-ouest de France
|
| Voted - The Sunday Times - The 100 Best Holidays in 2010 (click here) |
"L'Ecurie"
Sleeps up to 2 people only -
self catering - ground floor apartment
No Farmhouse rental available during 2012
Couchage
pour 2 personnes seulement - Gîte
- appartement rez de chaussée
Non Animaux acceptés
Gîte
non fumeur
|
| Front of St Victor du Fau Farmhouse with Gite L'Ecurie attached |
|
| 12m x 6m shared swimming pool |
Wifi enabled (1Mb)
English Satellite TV
DVD player
Large Swimming Pool
Use of full size snooker table Approximately 4km from the "Chemin St Jacques
de Compostelle" and the village of St Victor Rouzaud
5kms from Pamiers with very good amenities, shops, bars and
restaurants
Many local public footpaths - "Grand Randonee"
20 hectares (50 acres) of fields and woods
Languages spoken: English & French
Wifi activé (1Mo)
Télévision avec satellite Anglais
Lecteur DVD
Grande piscine
L'utilisation de table
de la taille de snooker
Environ 4 km du "Chemin St Jacques
de Compostelle"
et le village de St Victor Rouzaud
5kms de Pamiers avec des équipements très bon, boutiques, bars et restaurants
Beaucoup de sentiers publics locaux -
«Grandes Randonee"
20 hectares (50 acres) de champs et
de bois à la ferme
Nous parlons les langues
suivant: français et anglais
Telephone or Fax/Telecopie: +33 (0)561
607721 VOIP (internet) Telephone:
+33 (0)962 556115
Time zone: GMT +2
|
| Take a look at Sara Spencer's Photography & Artwork |
|
| See more photos of St Victor du Fau & area on Facebook |
ST VICTOR DU FAU
Jeff, Sara, their 18 year old son, look forward
to your arrival and offer you a warm welcome at their Ariegeoise farm, St Victor du Fau, built circa 1800’s. The farm
is located 5kms to the West of Pamiers, 1 hour south of Toulouse and Carcassonne, at the end of an 800m farm track on
the boundaries of the communes of Pamiers, St Victor Rouzaud and Escosse.
The area is known as the “Terrefort” by the locals and is an area of outstanding
natural beauty, rural and very peaceful. St Victor du Fau is on a nature reserve and sits comfortably in the middle of 50
acres of fields and woodland which belongs to the Spencer family in a small valley surrounded by rolling hills and fabulous
views.
Jeff,
Sara, leur fils, nous réjouissons de votre arrivée
et vous offrons un accueil chaleureux à notre
ferme Ariégeoise, St Victor du
Fau, construite vers 1800. La ferme
est située à 5 km à l'ouest de
Pamiers, une heure au sud de Toulouse et Carcassonne,
à la fin d'un chemin rustique de 800m sur
les limites des communes de Pamiers, St
Victor Rouzaud et Escosse.
La
région est connue comme la «Terrefort» par
les gens du pays et est une région
d'une beauté naturelle exceptionnelle, rurale
et très paisible. St Victor du Fau est sur une réserve naturelle et est assis confortablement
au milieu de 50 hectares de champs
et de bois qui appartient à la famille Spencer,
dans une petite vallée entourée de collines et
des vues fabuleuses.
|
| The woods of St Victor du Fau |
The roads nearby have been used by the Tour
de France in both 2006 and 2010 and is a great area for cycling enthusiasts and professionals, walkers, bird watchers, photographers
and artists amongst others. Some guests have likened the area to “French Tuscany” and consider St Victor du Fau
as a rural idyll and retreat. There is peace, tranquillity and a feeling of calm in the grounds surrounding the farmhouse. Close by the farmhouse is a 12m x 6m swimming which our guests our guests are welcome to use, plus of
course all the grounds and woodland for those who enjoy walking - it maybe prudent to bring suitable walking shoes
for this.
The nearest town of Pamiers is a 10 minute drive with several large
supermarkets, restaurants, banks and bars. Slightly further afield is Foix the capital of the Ariege department with its pretty
chateau sitting high above the town. The beautiful medieval town of Mirepoix is within a 30 minute drive and is famous for
its “couverts” (over-hanging buildings) around a central square.
For those who like to be a bit more adventurous, there is the opportunity of walking in the Pyrenees,
kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, horse-riding, parachuting, paragliding, flying lessons, hot air ballooning and canyoning.
More information and links to these and much, much more are on our “Things to do and see” page on this website.
Being close to the Pyrenees which are "fold" mountains, we have spa towns within 50 minutes drive, the most
popular being Ax-Les-Thermes which has spa baths where people can swim. This town also is the location for our nearest
and largest ski resort in the Ariege, Ax-Bonascre. The next largest and also very popular is Laroque D’Olmes which
is about an hours drive.
For the "foodies" and people who enjoy open-air markets, Pamiers boasts
3 per week and it is possible to attend a different market in the local area every day. Just take your pick! There
are also a number of good restaurants in Pamiers, some of which are recommended by ourselves and can be found on this website.
|
| Fields of sunflowers nearby St Victor du Fau |
The Ariege is renowned for its natural beauty, clean,
fresh unpolluted mountain air and one of the most undiscovered parts of France and not much has changed here in the past few
decades. On a clear night, one is able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye and in Sabarat nearby there is a Observatory
where stars, planets and galaxies can be seen via a large telescope.
A car, motorbike or bicycle is essential to get to St Victor du Fau. There is ample parking and dry
storage.
We try to do our bit for the environment and encourage recycling (we will supply recycling bags during
your stay). L'Ecurie is fitted with low energy Eco bulbs (wherever possible), there is a condensing boiler and excellent
insulation. We would welcome our guests to have the same mindset regarding the usage of electricity and water usage whilst
staying here when possible.
Nous essayons de faire
notre part pour l'environnement et encourager le recyclage (nous allons fournir des sacs de recyclage
lors de votre séjour). L'Ecurie est équipé d'ampoules basse énergie Eco
(si possible), il ya une chaudière à condensation
et une excellente isolation. Nous souhaitons la
bienvenue à nos invités à avoir le même état
d'esprit concernant l'utilisation de l'électricité
et la consommation d'eau tout en restant ici, si possible.
TOUR
DE FRANCE 2012
The Tour de France will be passing fairly nearby St
Victor du Fau in 2012 at the following places and dates:
Sunday 15th July 2012
Stage
14 - Limoux (1hr 12 minutes away) arriving at Foix (22 minutes away)
Monday 16th July
2012
Stage 15 - Samatan (1 hr 27 minutes away) arriving at Pau (2 hours away)
Friday 20th July 2012
Stage 18 - Blagnac - Toulouse (56 minutes away) to Brive-la-Gaillarde
|
| For more information on the course and dates, click here |
In-house ready made meals - Sara is a trained Cordon Bleu cook from Leiths School
of Food and Wine in London and is able to provide ready-made meals for our guests to heat up in the oven. Please ask
for more details. The meals are to be paid for in Euros during our guests holiday.
Horse-riding
- the equestrian centre across the valley from St Victor du Fau offers 1-2 hour hacks around the local countryside.
This can be organised before or during your stay.
If you require a hairdresser for a cut or other
extensive work, we have a local British hairdresser who is very good and has worked extensively in top London hotels and on
cruise ships.
|
| Click on this painting for more information on classes |
In St Victor Rouzaud there is Professional Watercolour artist, Lesley
Olver who gives watercolour art classes. There are day and half day classes available. All
day courses include a 2 course lunch and refreshments and the half day courses include drinks and refreshments.
The classes are held for experienced or unexperienced people and all the materials are provided.
|
| Click on the photo to enter Atelier Jade's mosaic site |
Also in St Victor Rouzaud if you like the idea of learning how to make a
mosiac, there are 3 hour courses available on either Saturday or Wednesdays at Atelier Jade with Catherine
Lapoujade. The courses cost 25 euros for 3 hours, all materials and "gouter" is provided.
|
| Click on here to enter Potential Energy's website |
If you would like to do something a bit different, Pat Penny (European Register of Exercise Professionals) from
Potential Energy has a number of health promoting activities which our guests are able to partake:
Pool workout (1 hour)
Massage based on Swedish massage (1 hour)
Health & Fitiness Appraisal (1-1.5 hours)
Walking (1-1.5 hours)
Nordic Walking (1-1.5 hours)
Cycling for the terrified (1-1.5 hours)
Tennis for children
& adults up to club level (1-1.5 hours)
A half day Health & Fitness package (3 hours)
Prices or further
information is available in L'Ecurie or can be sent in advance of your stay
|
| Click on this photo to find more information on Velomondo |
Bicycle hire can be arranged during or before your stay from Velomondo in Mirepoix.
They have a good selection of bicycles, a variety of sizes to suit adults and children, plus helmets and child seats.
They will deliver to St Victor du Fau. Click on the bicycle photo adjacent to enter Velomondo's website.
| Click on photo to enter Valorme's website |
|
We are also linked to a local French
language school in Foix, "Valorme" which offers Intensive French immersion courses for adults and
are happy to provide accommodation throughout the year.
|
| Click on the cake to find out more information. |
If you would like to arrange a bespoke Birthday cake for one of you whilst you are here, there is a lady
near Pamiers who makes all sorts of cakes.
|
| Click on photo to enter Dotty Kitchen's website |
Dotty Kitchen Catering
is a local company based in Montreal near Carcassonne offering catering for all occasions in the Aude area, providing delicious
cuisine for a range of events – Corporate, Weddings, Celebration Buffets, Dinner parties, Canape’s, special occasion’s,
children’s parties, home delivered foods and informal suppers & BBQ’s for your friends.
Our team specialise in both international cuisine and regional Languedocian French fare with a wide range
of menu’s including Spanish Tapas, Regional French recipes, Asian and European flavours all beautifully presented and
delivered to your venue.
LOCATION, TRAVEL, DISTANCES and ACCESS
Pamiers the nearest large town has a number of bars, restaurants, supermarkets and shops and
is an hour’s drive from either Carcassonne or Toulouse airport and is just off the A66 Autoroute/N20
which then continues south to Andorra.
Pamiers
le plus proche grande ville a un certain nombre
de bars, restaurants, supermarchés et magasins et se trouve à une heure de Carcassonne
ou Toulouse et est par loin de l'A66 Autoroute/N20 qui continue
ensuite vers le sud de l'Andorre.
British Airways, Easyjet, Flybe, BMI Baby, Air France and Jet2 all fly into Toulouse from the UK.
Air Lingus flies into Toulouse from Dublin in Ireland. Ryanair
flies into Carcassonne, Perpignan, Pau and Girona (Barcelona). Information on car hire, airlines,
airports, train travel and ferry information can be found on the last page of this website.
Driving from the Brittany
coast takes about 9 hours & from Calais about 10 hours. We have links to recommended B&B's
from the north to the south if you would like to take a look.
Private plane flyers can take advantage of
the small local airport (for light aircraft and
very rarely, the occasional Lear Jet) at Les Pujols which is a 15 minute drive from the farmhouse.
Taxis and car hire can be arranged for our guests.
There is also Motorail from Calais
to Toulouse or Narbonne whereby one can bring their own car and travel on the train without the effort of driving
down through France.
The TGV also comes from Paris to Toulouse. There is
a navette (shuttle bus) between Toulouse Blagnac airport and Toulouse Matabiau train station and from there one is able
to get a direct (stopping) train to Pamiers which takes about 1 hour. Car hire with Europecar is also available in the
town centre should this be required.
Pamiers also has a very good train service to and from Toulouse and all stations
to Andorra. This service is operated by SNCF Ter. Toulouse is approximately one hour from Pamiers and the journey
towards the Pyrenees mountains, Tarascon & Ax-Les-Thermes is a very scenic one.
Under the dropdown menu "Choisir la fiche Horaire" click the dropdown menus for trains from "Toulouse - Foix- Le Tour du Carol"
- Number 22 Trains from "Ax Les Thermes - Foix - Toulouse" - Number 947 for trains leaving Pamiers
St Victor du Fau is at the end of a gravel
farmtrack and is not an ideal road for cars with low clearance (e.g. sports cars)
and is probably only suitable for competent motorbikers. We have a normal family car and Jeff
a motorbike and can access the farmtrack easily.
St Victor
du Fau est à la fin d'un chemin
rustique et n'est pas une route idéale pour les voitures avec un jeu faible
(par exemple les voitures de sport) et est probablement
ne convient que pour motards compétentes.
Nous avons une voiture de famille normale et Jeff
une moto et peut accéder au chemin
facilement.
OTHER VILLAGES, TOWNS AND PLACES
There are other large towns nearby
which are Foix, Mirepoix & St Girons, plus other lovely villages of Escosse, Carla Bayle, Maz D’Azil, St Martin
D’Oydes, Le Fossat, Benagues, Madiere , Unzent, Bonnac, St Michel & Pailhes all of which are within 25 minutes
drive. The Pyrenean ski resorts of Ax-Bonascre, Les Monts D’Olmes (downhill) and Plateau de Beille & Domaine du
Chioula (cross-country & raquettes) are all possible to reach within an hour. The large walled fortress town of Carcassonne
is an easy drive of about an hour.
Il existe d'autres
grandes villes qui sont proches de
Foix, Mirepoix et Saint Girons,
ainsi que d'autres jolis villages de Escosse,
Carla Bayle, Maz d'Azil,
St Martin d'Oydes, Le Fossat,
Benagues, Madière, Unzent,
Bonnac, Saint-Michel & Pailhes
qui sont tous à moins de 25 minutes en voiture.
Les stations de ski pyrénéennes d'Ax-Bonascre,
Les Monts d'Olmes (descente) et Plateau
de Beille et du Chioula Domaine (ski
& raquettes) sont possibles pour atteindre en une heure. La grande ville fortifiée
de Carcassonne est facilement accessible en voiture d'environ
une heure.
The seaside Mediterranean towns of Narbonne, Gruisson & Leucate are about 1½ hours away by car.
Andorra is about a 2 hour drive which is tax-free and not part of France or the EU.
LAKES & RIVERS
There are a number of fresh water lakes, where one can walk or swim. The nearest ones are at Lac de Mondeley, Lac
de Carla Bayle or Lac de Filheit. Mondeley and Carla Bayle both have sandy swimming beaches and the Filheit
is primarily for walking and fishing. A little further afield towards Mirepoix is Lac Montbel which is also good
for swimming and has pedalos and kayaks.
Click on the link below for more information about swimming in lakes and
rivers in the Ariege.
|
